# NTSB WPR13CA117: Cessna 170B, N2619D, Sunburst, MT, February 6, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 6, 2013, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Sunburst, MT - Coordinates: 48.886665, -111.921669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8867&lon=-111.9217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86165 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86165/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86165 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for the strong, gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot taxied the airplane onto the runway most aligned with the wind and began the takeoff roll. Just as the airplane became airborne, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the left wing tip contacted the ground despite the pilot's application of full right aileron. The airplane came to rest, nose-down, facing opposite the direction of intended travel and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the left lift strut. The pilot estimated that the wind was 38 knots and gusting to 42 knots at the time of takeoff. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot aligned the airplane into the wind and proceeded with the takeoff roll. As the airplane got airborne a gust of wind lifted the right wing and the left wing tip contacted the ground despite the pilot's application of full right aileron. The airplane was pulled to the left by the ground contact and came to rest on its nose facing the opposite direction of intended travel. During the accident sequence the airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard sections of both wings and the left lift strut. The pilot estimated that the wind was 38 knots gusting to 42 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2619D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2619D), registered now, S/N 20771, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20771 - Airframe hours: 3070 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Inman Steve - Registered owner: Inman Steve - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 2012 - Departed: K8U5, Sunburst, MT - Destination: KBIL, Billings, MT - Airport: K8U5, Sunburst Airport, runway 23, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 568 total, 404 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 25 knots, gusting 34 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KCTB, 25 nm away ## Other investigations on N2619D (3) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB SEA07LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA020), Nov 18, 2006: Cessna 170B (N2619D), Billings, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve during takeoff roll. A factor was the failure of the pilot who was receiving… - [NTSB SEA05CA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA135), Jun 28, 2005: Cessna 170B (N2619D), Laurel, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's diverted… - [NTSB DEN78DTC28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78DTC28), Jun 28, 1978: Cessna 170B (N2619D), Rock Springs, WY, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 3, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86165. 723 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 723 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.